Automated high-throughput seed sample handling system and method

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for processing seed or seed samples includes an autonomous sorter which sorts seed by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a counter to autonomously ensure the correct number of seeds to a seed package, a cleaning device, a sheller, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining the sample segregating from other samples. Validation of the sample can be pre-required and information about the sample can be derived and stored for further use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to handling seed, and inparticular, to automatic processing of previously harvested seed samplesused in plant breeding programs and applications.

[0003] B. Problems in the Art

[0004] As is well known in the art, corn breeding is an arduous science.The harvesting, handling, and ultimate processing of corn seed samplesinto packages is an exacting and labor intensive process. Strictstandards exist with regard to the same. One important part is theharvesting and handling of breeding seeds. Not only is it crucial tokeep track of such things as particular characteristics of the seeds(e.g. genotype, inbred identification, where they were grown); each seedand each seed sample must be carefully handled and evaluated, so thatthere is a high probability the selected seeds will germinate and sothat there is no contamination of the set of seeds comprising the sampleof seeds. Only those that meet certain criteria (e.g. undamaged, notdiseased, correct characteristics) are used for further breedingactivities.

[0005] For example, breeding, product development, and productcharacterization/commercialization processes require the production,evaluation, and use of many samples of corn (Zea Mays). Each sampleconsists of from one to many ears of corn. Typically, corn plants aregrown to maturity in nurseries, and then conditioned and processed inthe following separate steps: artificially dried in seed dryers,shelled, the seed cleaned and sized, and then packaged either forreplanting or shipment to other locations for yield testing orevaluation for additional breeding crosses. This process must beconducted so that there is no intermingling or cross-contamination ofseed samples, and must include a step for removing such things as inertmatter, excessively small or large seed, and damaged or diseased seed.This process, from shelling through packaging, is currentlysubstantially manual in nature, and processes samples at the rate of15-20 samples/person-hour. Each of the steps is usually conductedseparately, with non-integrated devices or machinery.

[0006] For example, seed samples are conventionally processed asfollows. Corn ears are harvested in the field and then placed in plasticmesh bags having some identifying tag. These bags are then dried indryer bins. When dry, they are manually unloaded and run through asheller. The shelled seed is then cleaned using any of a number ofdifferent methods ranging from cylindrical screens made out of hardwarecloth, to flat oscillating screens, or plastic buckets with screenbottoms.

[0007] All of these approaches seek to remove small seed and debris. Thesemi-finished seed is then manually inspected and any damaged ordiseased kernels are removed. The seed is then packaged and shipped toother nurseries or counted out into small envelopes in preparation forplanting.

[0008] All of the seed transfers between pieces of equipment occur byhand, the cleaning operation is performed manually, and the transfer toa package occurs manually. The current manual system requires about 8people and 8 hours to shell 1000 samples, each containing 8 to 10 ears.If a nursery has to process 4000 samples per day, it will need either 2shellers operating for two 8 hour shifts with 16 people per shift, or 4shellers and 32 people to staff the process for one 8 hour shift. It isa significant management challenge to hire, train, and manage 32 parttime employees and to make sure that no errors or mistakes occur becauseof fatigue, operator error, or boredom.

[0009] It can therefore be seen that there is a significant need in theart for an improvement in such processing of seed corn. Similar methodsare used to process other types of seed samples. It is therefore aprincipal object of the present invention to provide a seed conditioningprocess and system which improves over the state of the art. Otherobjects, features and advantages of the present invention include aconditioning process and system for seed samples which:

[0010] (a) provides significant improvement in the time needed toprocess seeds;

[0011] (b) maintains or exceeds quality of current processing methods;

[0012] (c) reduces labor costs;

[0013] (d) reduces errors or mistakes;

[0014] (e) can be substantially or completely automated;

[0015] (f) is flexible, can be varied according to need, and allowsintegration of a plurality of seed processing or conditioning functions;

[0016] (g) provides good discrimination between desirable andundesirable seeds;

[0017] (h) allows for accurate tracking and identification during andafter processing of the seeds;

[0018] (i) is economical and efficient; and

[0019] (j) is durable;

[0020] (k) allows non-destructive, careful handling of seeds and seedsamples;

[0021] (l) allows communication between those that need to use seedsamples and the processing of the samples to assist in the efficiencyand intelligence of a wider system involving use of the seed samples;

[0022] (m) can include automatic notification or communication ofintelligence about the processing and the seed samples to those wantingor needing to know such information;

[0023] (n) allows for automated or machine assisted decisions to assistin efficiency and accuracy of the seed sample processing.

[0024] (o) Is integratable with a number of functions or processes toreduce labor, expense, time and errors in processing seed and seedsamples.

[0025] These and other objects, features, and advantages of inventionwill become more apparent with reference to the accompanyingspecification and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0026] A seed or seed sample handling process and system includesautomated handling of previously harvested seeds, by assigning orvalidating an identifier to a set of seeds, automatically performing oneor more operations on the set of seed, and accumulating on end productand storing information about the end product correlated to theidentifier. Optionally, the end product can be selected seeds of the setof seeds meeting certain pre-defined criteria. A possible feature of theinvention includes validating the identity of a harvested seed sample,tracking the sample through a seed conditioning process, and ensuringits purity and identity as it is packaged. A still further possiblefeature of the invention includes deriving information about the seedsample during the conditioning process which can be correlated to thesample. As an example, a discrimination device or method can be used toanalyze the seeds and discriminate between them or derive acharacteristic of the seed, such as based on moisture. Optionally, thederiving information can be added to a pre-existing knowledge base aboutthe seed from which the sample is taken and conditioned.

[0027] The apparatus, system and method can be substantially automatedand can condition one batch at a time from start to finish, or conditionmultiple batches serially. Still further automated functions can beadded. The conditioning system and the derived information can be usedin a substantially automated system of conditioning seed samples andadministrating an inventory of a plurality of seed samples; validatingrequests for certain seed samples, confirming and maintaining purity andidentification of requested samples, and packaging and preparingrequested samples for shipment to designated recipients.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system according to a preferredembodiment of the invention.

[0029] FIGS. 2A-C is a flow chart of a method according to a preferredembodiment of the invention.

[0030]FIG. 3A is a process and information flow diagram according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 3B is diagram illustrating the interaction of data accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing database tables of the local databaseaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033]FIGS. 5A and B is a diagram illustrating the parallel relationshipbetween seed processing and information processing according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the system ofFIG. 1.

[0035]FIG. 7A is a top plan view of FIG. 6.

[0036]FIG. 7B is a left side plan view of FIG. 7A.

[0037]FIG. 7C is front plan view of FIG. 7A.

[0038]FIG. 7D is a right side plan view of FIG. 7A.

[0039]FIG. 8 is perspective view of an embodiment of a control enclosurecabinet of FIG. 4 and certain internal components.

[0040]FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic of AC power distribution for thecontrol circuitry of FIG. 8.

[0041]FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic of DC power distribution forthe control circuitry of FIG. 8.

[0042]FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic of input wiring for the controlcircuitry of FIG. 8.

[0043]FIG. 12 is an electrical schematic of output wiring for thecontrol circuitry of FIG. 8.

[0044]FIG. 13 is an electrical schematic of a seed counting subsystemfor the control circuitry of FIG. 8.

[0045]FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of pneumatic power source for usewith the control circuitry of FIG. 8.

[0046]FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of pneumatic lines in the system ofFIG. 6.

[0047]FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view of product line vacuum controllines for the pneumatic lines of FIG. 15 and output lines associatedtherewith.

[0048]FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view of the pneumatic cylinder controllines for pneumatic cylinders for the system of FIG. 3 and output linesassociated therewith.

[0049]FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the relationship betweenvarious user interface screens of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0050]FIG. 19A is a graphic user interface (GUI) presented to anoperator of a system according to FIG. 1 permitting a user to selectparticular types of seed or products.

[0051]FIG. 19B is a GUI showing the system settings.

[0052]FIG. 19C is a GUI of system settings for a particular type of seedor product showing the accompanying processing times.

[0053]FIG. 20 is a GUI of set up screen to initialize the system for acertain type of seed or product.

[0054]FIG. 21 is a GUI for hardware set up for the system.

[0055]FIG. 22 is a GUI for a run screen for the system.

[0056]FIG. 23A is a GUI for a bar code format and label set up for thesystem.

[0057]FIG. 23B is a GUI for label format for a box, which will hold oneor more samples processed by the system.

[0058]FIG. 24 is a GUI illustrating content of one or more boxes.

[0059]FIG. 25A is an example of a printed label for a set of “clean” orselected seeds from the processing of the system.

[0060]FIG. 25B is an example of a printed label for a set of “dirty” ornon-selected seeds from the processing of the system.

[0061]FIG. 25C is an example of a label for a box adapted to hold one ormore of the clean or dirty sets of seeds processed by the system.

[0062]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a seed cleaner station accordingto the system of FIG. 6.

[0063]FIG. 27 is a front elevation of FIG. 26.

[0064]FIG. 28A is an enlarged isolated side elevation of a collectionfunnel and actuatable slide gate of FIG. 26.

[0065]FIG. 28B is a still further enlarged perspective view of a slidegate for the collection funnel of FIG. 28A.

[0066]FIG. 28C is a sectional view taken along lines 28C-28C of FIG.28B.

[0067]FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a self-cleaning seed cleaner withfirst (scalping) and second (sieving) sizing screens.

[0068]FIG. 30A is a side elevation view of the embodiment ofself-cleaning seed cleaner of FIG. 29.

[0069]FIG. 30B is similar to FIG. 30A but shows a screen cleaningfunction for the embodiment of FIG. 29.

[0070]FIGS. 31 and 32 are diagrammatic views illustrating the principalof operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 30A and 30B.

[0071]FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of FIG. 29 showing the seedcleaners in a lowered position.

[0072]FIG. 34 is identical to FIG. 33 but showing the seed cleaners inan upward or cleaning position.

[0073]FIG. 35 is an isolated perspective view of the actuators andlinkage that operate self-cleaning functions of the cleaner of FIGS. 33and 34.

[0074]FIG. 36 is an alternative embodiment to FIG. 34.

[0075]FIG. 37A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a seed sorterstation.

[0076]FIG. 37B is an enlarged isolated perspective view of the sorterfeeder for the station of FIG. 37A.

[0077]FIG. 37C is an enlarged isolated perspective view of a seedcounter attached to the outlet of the seed sorter of FIG. 37A.

[0078]FIG. 38 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating thefunctions of a color sorter.

[0079]FIG. 39 is an enlarged isolated perspective view of a sorterbucket from the outlet end of the sorter of FIG. 37A.

[0080]FIG. 40 is a side elevation view of the sorter feeder and sorterseed chute of FIG. 37A.

[0081]FIG. 41 is a side elevation of the color sorter station of FIG.37A.

[0082]FIG. 42 is an enlarged perspective view of a swap valve and sorterfunnel of FIG. 41.

[0083]FIG. 43 is an enlarged elevation taken at line 43-43 of FIG. 41.

[0084]FIG. 44 is an isolated top plan view of a slide plate of the swapvalve of FIG. 42.

[0085]FIG. 45 is an isolated elevation view of the slide gate of FIG.44.

[0086]FIG. 46 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a baggingstation of the system of FIG. 6.

[0087]FIG. 47 is a front elevation of FIG. 46.

[0088]FIG. 48 is a side elevation of FIG. 46.

[0089]FIG. 49 is an enlarged perspective view of the working componentsof the bagging station of FIG. 46.

[0090]FIG. 50 is a still further enlarged front elevation of FIG. 47showing certain internal components in ghost lines.

[0091]FIG. 51 is a side elevation of FIG. 50.

[0092]FIG. 52 is an isolated enlarged perspective view of a collectionfunnel and actuatable door for the bagging station of FIG. 46.

[0093]FIG. 53 is a side elevation of FIG. 52.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0094] A. Overview

[0095] For a better understanding of the invention, an embodiment willnow be described in detail. Frequent reference will be taken to thedrawings. Reference numerals and letters will be used in the drawings toindicate certain parts and locations in the drawings. The same referencenumerals or letters will indicate the same parts or locations throughoutthe drawings unless otherwise indicated.

[0096] B. General Environment

[0097] The embodiment will be discussed in the general environment ofprocessing seed corn for breeding purposes. The embodiment wouldpreferably be housed in a suitable building, in a controlledenvironment, preferably shielded from outside environmental conditions.

[0098] C. Overall System Apparatus and Information Structure

[0099]FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a corn seedprocessing/conditioning system 10. A controller 12 (e.g. RunTime RT-505from Ann Arbor Technologies of Ann Arbor, Mich.) is operativelyconnected to a computer 14. Together controller 12 and computer 14operate with system 10 to provide an automated production line fortaking ear corn that has been bagged into mesh bags 16 and dried, eachincluding a removable machine readable tag 18, sometimes called aharvest tag, (here bar coded), and perform a variety of functions toprocess seed from the ear corn to the point where the seed corn isbagged into shipping bags 20 bearing machine readable labels 22 incondition for further use, e.g., for continued use in corn breedingprograms.

[0100] Ear corn samples from particular field plots are bagged. Barcodes are generated by known methods with identifying information abouteach sample. The identifying information is correlated to a data baseformat that can be used in maintaining an overall seed inventory andcontrol system for a plant breeding program.

[0101] Instead of individual, manual handling and conveyance of eachsample to process it for further use, system 10 automatically processesor conditions the sample seed.

[0102] But additionally, in parallel, system 10 validates each sample,keeps track of each sample, and can gather additional information aboutthe sample. This additional information can be used to update thedatabase about the sample, and can be transferred and used by othersystems.

[0103] As a result, the objects of the present invention are achieved.Samples are conditioned in less time, with less chance for error, whileautomatically tracking and gaining additional information and knowledgeabout the sample.

[0104]FIG. 1 illustrates diagrammatically an example of a system 10,including various components and stations in a continuous processingline. The components can vary in number and function.

[0105] Programmable controller 12 is in electrical communication with anumber of actuators, sensors, and computer 14 via an Ethernet network(indicated diagrammatically by reference number 46). Controller 12includes a display and a touch screen for data entry. Controller 12, incombination with computer 14, controls much of the operation of system10, and allows operator initialization and adjustment of certainparameters.

[0106] System 10 is linked not only by the conveyance path 29/33/35 fromstation to station, but also a combination of electrical and pneumaticcircuits. These will be discussed in more detail later. Generally andfor purposes of reference, system 10 uses air transport tubes to conveybatches of seed from station to station. Electrically controlled linevacs supply pressurized air to the transport tubes. The electricallycontrolled line vac actuators will be referenced by LV1, LV2, LV3, LV4,and LV 6. Air transport is not the only way to move seed samples, but isconsidered preferable, and perhaps the best presently known way forconveying seeds for a number of reasons. Among them are it is clean,conveys seed at reasonably high speed but with minimal trauma, is easyto install and plumb, has no moving parts for less complexity and morereliable and durable operation, is easier to fix and maintain, and ishighly adaptable to different space and path requirements. Relativelysmall diameter, flexible, clear tubing can be used for the conveyancepaths.

[0107] Gates and doors are operated by electrically controlled pneumaticactuators (solenoid operated) referenced by PN1, PN2, PN3, PN4, PN5,PN6, PN7, PN8, PN9, PN10, PN11, PN12 and PN13. The actuators havetwo-way ported cylinders, they are actuatable to one of two states byplacing higher pressure on one side of the cylinder ram and creatinglower pressure on the other side relative to one state or the other.Many of these actuators hold gates or doors in a normally closed state,but when actuated, move a gate or door to an open state to create apathway for seeds to pass. Several air jets are operated by electricallycontrolled actuators referenced by AJ1, AJ2, and AJ3. Examples ofpneumatic cylinders that could be used are Models 6-DP-1-M, 6-DP-2-M, or6-DP-3-M from Humphrey Products Company of Kalamazoo, Mich.; or model2A710 pancake cylinders from Speedaire, for screens 260A and B ofcleaner 30.

[0108] By referring to FIG. 8, it can be appreciated that controller 12controls the actuators as follows. Controller 12 communicates withsolenoids associated with each actuator by sending an electrical signal,which energizes the solenoid. The solenoid energizes its actuatorsupplying compressed air to a pneumatic cylinder (two-way) that has twostates. The compressed air pushes the ram of the air cylinder. Thismechanical force is then usable to open and close doors or gates, oropen and close pathways for compressed air.

[0109] The electrically controlled actuators can have electrical sensors(e.g. Model BIM-PST-AP6X-V1131 inductive sensors from Turck ofMinneapolis, Minn.) associated with them which inform controller 12 ofthe state of the actuator. Thus controller 12 can monitor whether a gateor door is open or closed. These sensors are referenced by S1, S2, etc.the sensor references corresponding to the pneumatic actuatorreferences.

[0110] Computer 14 and controller can include a display and a data entryinterface, e.g. touch screen or keyboard. Computer 14 could reprogramcontroller 12, or controller could be directly reprogrammed. An operatorcould therefore quickly change such things as the timing of operation ofthe various controller-controlled components of system 10. Controller 12would be programmed to send digital instructions at appropriate times toany of the electronically controllable components in system 10.

[0111] Software could time the operation of the various components sothat they did not have to continuously operate, even though no ear cornor seed was at the particular station. On the other hand, software couldcontrol the components to allow more than one batch of seed to be inprocess, but in different sections of, system 10 at the same time.

[0112] Bar code reader 24, as well as information from devices 36A-E, isinterfaced to controller 12 which communicates with computer 14 formanipulation or storage of information via Ethernet network 46.

[0113] The above-described combination provides intelligence tocontroller 12 and computer 14 for operation of system 10. System 10 istherefore not only highly automated and autonomous, it is flexible.Safeguards can be programmed into system 10. For example, sensors caninform controller 12 that a certain gate is ajar. The programming canstop processing until the gate is checked. Other checks, error alarms,and monitoring can be built into system 10.

[0114] Of course, system 10 must be initialized prior to operation. Thisincludes calibration. For example, cleaner 30 may have to be adjustedfor different sizes of seed samples. Color sorter may have to beadjusted for different types of seeds (a color indicating a defect forone type of seed may be the color of health of another seed). Timing canbe adjusted for different numbers of seeds per batch. For example,programming can wait for a pre-set time period for a function in one ofthe stations to be complete. This time period may need to be extendedfor larger batches of seeds or shortened for smaller batches.

[0115] The first station is sheller 28 (see FIG. 1). As is well known inthe art, sheller 28 receives ear corn as input and mechanicallyseparates the seed from the ear. Bags 16 are brought to sheller 28. Abar code reader 24 is used to read the tag 18 associated with a bag 16to validate the information that has been encoded in a bar code on tag18. This validation process, made possible by the pre-existing knowledgebase in a database, essentially authorizes the process of that batch ofseed through the processing line.

[0116] A conveyance system moves the seed from the output of sheller 28to the second station, here referred to collectively as cleaner 30.Debris, some damaged seed, and other unwanted material is separated fromgood seed. Cleaner 30 can be a screen cleaner. Other methods or devicescould be used. As indicated at FIG. 1, a plurality of devices orfunctions could be included in and/or conducted by cleaner 30. Examplesshown include scalping the seed (see 30B) and a preliminary sizingsorting of the seed (see 30C).

[0117] A conveyance system would move the batch of seed from the outputof cleaner 30 to the third station, referred to generally here as sorter36. FIG. 1 illustrates a color sorter, such as are known in the art.Sorter 36 functions to select desirable seed. For example, a colorsorter attempts to use color or gray scale to discriminate betweenhealthy seeds and diseased or damaged seeds. Some undesired seeds makeit through cleaner 30. Sorter 36 attempts to remove them.

[0118] A conveyance system then moves the batch of seed to the fourthstation, bagger 32, where the seed selected by the sorting system isaccumulated and bagged for use.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 1, additional functions can be performed on thebatch of seed in the system. Certain characteristics of the seed can bemeasured. Examples are moisture of the seed (see 36B), temperature ofthe seed (see 36B where the temperature compensation may be used todetermine moisture) and weight of the seed (see 36C). The batch ofselected seed can also be counted (see 36E). All of these functions areaccomplished autonomously.

[0120]FIG. 1 shows a near infrared (NIR) analyzer 36D that possiblycould also be used to derive other characteristics about the seed.Examples include protein levels, starch levels, and other information.NIR analysis is well known in the art. Information derived from suchsensors and analyzers, the examples of which are shown at 36B-E, can becommunicated to the computer, which can correlate the information withthe batch of seed sample in the database.

[0121] The computer can generate labels 22, which can add derivedinformation to the label, here including a bar code. The computer canalso generate a label 45 for a box 44. The bar code for box 44 couldcontain information about which bags of seed samples are in the box,shipping information, and/or other information.

[0122] FIGS. 2A-C illustrate one specific methodology that can beutilized with system 10. This method could be implemented throughappropriate software written in appropriate language for use bycontroller 12 and computer 14. It will be discussed in more detaillater. Of course, variations can be used.

[0123]FIGS. 3A and B, 4 and 5 diagrammatically illustrate theinformation flow structure and parallel flow of information and productthrough system 10. Note how system 10 has in real time validated it isprocessing the right sample and immediately adds to the knowledge baseregarding the sample as it is conditioned for packaging and shipping.

[0124] The central database can run as an application on anenterprise-wide LAN. A database utility takes information and puts itinto Microsoft EXCEL files (or comma separated values (CSV) files) intoa local Microsoft ACCESS database files, copied from a remote server. Asmall application communicates with controller 12 and gives informationback to controller 12; and lets it process. When through, system10/controller 12 picks up and sends information and time/date (andsequence #) to computer 14 which can generate a label.

[0125] D. Specific System Apparatus and Example of Processing

[0126] FIGS. 6-7D give an assembled view of stations 28, 30, 36, and 40and the conveyance mechanism between them. A control enclosure 50(approx. 6 ft. tall by 6 ft. wide by 2 ft. deep NEMA 12 enclosure) forelectrical and pneumatic circuitry is also shown, along with raceway 52from enclosure 50 to distribute that circuitry to the stations and thecontroller.

[0127] FIGS. 8-17 illustrate some of the contents of enclosure 50 wheninstalled as well as the electrical and pneumatic circuits for system10. These figures give details of one way to build these sub-systems.

[0128] FIGS. 18-25C illustrate examples of graphic user interfaces(GUIs) such as could appear on display 13 of controller 12 or a displayof computer 14 related to initialization and set-up of system 10 andformatting of labels printed for samples and boxes for samples that areprocessed by system 10.

[0129] FIGS. 26-53 illustrate stations 30, 36 and 37, and associatedcomponents, in more detail.

[0130] An exemplary specific seed sample conditioning process, inaccordance with the programming of FIGS. 2A-C, will now be describedwith respect to the specific apparatus shown in FIGS. 6-53. Steps of theprogramming of FIGS. 2A-C will be called out while referencing eachprocessing station and/or parts thereof with reference numbers.

[0131] The different stations and the devices and methods used at thestations in system 10 can vary. For example, one device may be able toadequately perform the functions accomplished by cleaner 30 and sorter36 in FIG. 1. Some seed may not need to be shelled. Counting may not berequired, or any evaluation like that which NIR analyzer is capable of.

[0132] In the present embodiment, however, related to processing andconditioning of corn seed samples for corn breeding, shelling, some typeof cleaning and sorting, and bagging, along with at least moisture,weight, temperature and count measures are preferred.

[0133] Below are more specific details regarding components that couldbe used in system 10 illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1.

[0134] 1. Preliminary Steps/Bar Code Reader

[0135] System 10 is initialized. The operator sets parameters viakeyboard or touch screen 15 associated with computer 14 for theparticular product being processed. For example, certain types of cornhave larger kernels than other types. Different settings on cleaner 30and sorter 36 may be necessary for accuracy of the system. Such settingsnormally will have been calibrated by prior testing of system 10 withthe same or similar type of seed.

[0136] Electrical power (AC and DC) is presented to the controls inenclosure 50 (see FIGS. 9 & 10). Pneumatic pressure is generated by thecomponents illustrated at FIG. 14 (here around 90 psi at 40 CFMminimum).

[0137] Ear corn 19 can be dried in a system such as disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/498,277 to inventors Hunter, et al.,bagged in bags 16, each of which can be bar code labeled as previouslydescribed (see FIG. 2A, step 51). By scanning the bar code (step 53),information regarding the nature of the ear corn and the essential factsfor records can be obtained by system 10 and stored in computer 14. Theinformation can be displayed to an operator (step 54), and a decisioncan be made whether to shell corn or ship it (steps 56, 58). Note that aworker could at this point manually inspect the ear corn and eject it.

[0138] If the ear corn is not to be shelled and processed, the processto the left of box 58 in FIG. 2A could be followed. The ear corn 19could pass through or bypass system 10 until bagger 37, where the earcorn 19 could be placed in a new bag(s) 20, the database of computer 14can be updated, a label can be updated (a new label can be created bylabel generator 42), and bag(s) 20 closed and loaded into a shippingcontainer 44, which itself could have a label describing its contents,if desired.

[0139] A bar code reader or scanner 24 (e.g. Model 5312HP from PSC,Webster, N.Y.) is positioned to read a bar code from a pre-created barcoded tag 18 on ear corn bag 16. The bar code on tag 18 could containinformation such as indicated in Table 1. TABLE 1 Database field DataField 1 Bag #:        Field 2 Corn Type:        Field 3 Genotype:       Field 4 Test Plot #:        Field 5 Location:        Field 6       :      

[0140] A bag 16 of ear corn (typically comprising 8 to 10 ears) can bemanually opened and ear corn 19 poured or loaded into sheller 28.

[0141] It should be noted that bar code reader 24 can read informationthat identifies the contents of bag 16. Computer 14 therefore can storeand keep track of the relevant information about the ear corn from bag16 throughout the processing of system 10. This information can bestored in a memory, text file, or a database as well as in a database.The term “data base” is to be broadly construed to refer to any set ofdata regardless of its format, the type of application associated withthe data (i.e. spreadsheet, database), the type of storage used to storethe data, etc. A local database 47 can be created in computer 14 withsuch identifying information. Local database 47 can be in contact with acentral database 48.

[0142] This flow of information on an enterprise wide basis is bestshown in FIG. 3B. Information including a shipping location, the year ofthe seeds, the season of the seeds, the location of the seed plots, atest plot identification number, seed experiment information, whether aparticular seed sample is genetically modified, and other user-definedinformation that may be stored in an enterprise wide database 48 is thenused in a local database 47. A database conversion utility may berequired, for example the enterprise wide database information may beconverted in part to a file of comma separated values or anotheruniversal format. A database utility may be required to import theinformation from a universal format to the format of local database 47.The local database 47 may be a Microsoft Access database and thedatabase utility may be a stand-alone Microsoft Visual Basicapplication. The seed processing system 10 then adds information to thelocal database 47 during seed processing, the updated local database 47Acontaining the additional information. Once the database 47A has beenpopulated with information from the seed processing system 10, thedatabase utility can then be used to extract the database to a commaseparated value (csv) file for loading into the enterprise wide database48.

[0143] The database utility creates and uses a Microsoft Accessdatabase. As best shown in FIG. 4, the database is made up of an Entriestable, a Box table, and a BoxNumber table. The Entries table containsall of the sample data including the box the sample is stored inn. TheBox table contains all of the information for a box such as shippingweight and sample count. The BoxNumber table is used to build a new boxentry in the Box table. The Box ID of the Box table is related to a datafield in the Entries table. One field in the Entries table is related tothe Box identifier of the BoxNumber table.

[0144] Also, when the harvest tag 18 is read by bar code reader 24,identifying information on the bar code is immediately evaluated toensure this bag of ear corn is authorized to be processed in system 10.This step, called validation, means that the ID of a bag 20 (from label18) is checked against local database 47, which has downloaded fromcentral database 48 a list of requested samples. For example, thecentral database can have a complete listing of all corn breedingexperiments on-going around the world. The initial validationessentially asks whether the sample ID from tag 18 “exists”, so tospeak, in any of the experiments in the central database.

[0145] If the ID (identification) does agree, system 10 is authorized toprocess that sample. If it does not agree, an error is detected. Theoperator can be notified on display 13 and controller 12 does not allowgate 62 to sheller 28 to be opened.

[0146] PC 14 makes another initial decision based on information scannedin from harvest tag 18. It asks whether the sample type in bag 20 willrun on system 10. In other words, it checks whether the settings andoperational parameters for each of the stations of system 10 are set tohandle the type or nature of the sample identified on label 18. Forexample, if the sample is a certain type of corn that needs more time inthe cleaning station than what system 10 is set for, an error or alertis given to the operator via display 13, and sheller door 62 does notopen. Thus, system 10 automatically assists in its correct and efficientoperation.

[0147] System 10 has three basic setups, primarily based on thesize/shape of the seeds of the samples and on the volume or amount ofseeds for each sample. If the information scanned from a harvest label18 indicates the wrong initial setup of system 10, the operator isalerted and can deal with it then, instead of wasting the time andpossibly ruining the processing of the sample.

[0148] 2. Computer and Controller

[0149] Computer 14 is a PC-based processor with an associated display 15and keyboard and could be mounted in a stand or table at or near thebagging station. Operator controls and the display allow the operator tomonitor certain aspects of the operation of system 10, as well as enterdata or instructions.

[0150] Controller 12 is a programmable intelligent digital device(RunTime PC RT-505 from Ann Arbor Technologies of Ann Arbor, Mich.). Itcould be a programmable logic controller or other PC optimizer for dataacquisition for process control. Controller 12 has an integrateddisplay/touchscreen user interface 13, and is in an approximately 20″ by16″ by 8″ enclosure on a stand at or near sheller 28. Controller 12handles input and output from and to the actuators and sensors of system10 via I/O bases (see FIGS. 8-11) that communicate over an Ethernetconnection. An Ethernet controller is placed in the passive back planeof controller 12, permitting signals to be sent to and received by otherI/O within controller 12. Input/output drivers energize relays in theback plane that open or close solenoids for the pneumatic actuators. PC14 runs a Microsoft Visual Basic (VB) application. PC 14 communicates tocontroller 12 using TCP/IP. PC 14 polls controller 12 for correct statusof I/O lines, essentially by one-way polling (approx. once every 50-100milliseconds), and then writes back a new status as needed. Controller12 is programmable (e.g. Think and Do language).

[0151] The apparatus of system 10 allows an automatic, continuous, realtime processing of seed 25, including tracking of a batch of seed thatneeds to be kept together, or at least precisely identified prior to,during, and after the processing.

[0152] System 10 assigns an ID string to each sample. PC 14/controller12 push this string through station to station of system 10 to trackeach sample. In this embodiment, up to five samples can simultaneouslybe in system 10, but the invention is not confined to this. For cornseed of conventional type, each sample takes less than one minutethrough system 10. By tracking, system 10 knows where each sample is insystem 10 at any given time, and thus knows when it is at baggingstation 37 so that it generates the correct identification label for thepackage for each sample, even though multiple samples may be proceedingthrough system 10.

[0153] By referring to the GUI's of FIGS. 18-25C, it can be seen whattypes of initialization and set-ups are possible with system 10. FIGS.18 through 19 show graphical user interfaces of controller 12, whileFIGS. 19-25C show graphical user interfaces of PC 14. FIG. 18 shows therelationship of a number of different screens that may be accessed froma product selection screen (see also FIG. 19A). These screens include aweight calibration screen, a moisture calibration screen, a run screen,a settings screen (see also FIG. 19C), a manual control screen (see alsoFIG. 19B), a color sorter testing screen, and a seed counter testingscreen. Examples of timing between stations and set-ups for corn aregiven in the settings screen of FIG. 19C. Examples of the types ofoperator over-rides are given in the manual operator screen of FIG. 19B.Examples of the database fields and how they are used to create bag andbox labels are shown.

[0154] 3. Automated Processing Stations

[0155] a. Sheller

[0156] If ear corn 19 is desired (and validated) to be shelled andprocessed further, the steps in the flow chart after box 56 could befollowed. FIG. 2A illustrates at step 60 and step 62 if a decision ismade to ship the ear corn, the seed can be aspirated and accumulated orcontrolled as to rate of presentation to the next station. System 10 cancheck if it is free or allowed to proceed to the next process step (step64). System 10 could instruct a kernel clean process (see step 66).Aspiration could be integrated into sheller 28.

[0157] Sheller 28 (e.g. Model ECS by Almaco, Nevada, Iowa) functions toshell ear corn 19. A variety of shellers are commercially available.Once a seed sample in a bag 16 is validated (after bar code 18 isscanned and computer 14 validates), the ear corn from that bag 16 areloaded into a hopper in sheller 28.

[0158] Sheller 28 is turned on and runs constantly. Sheller input gate62 is opened by an electrical instruction from controller 12 (output B0)to an electrically controlled pneumatic actuator (PN1) (see also FIG.17). The ear corn for this sample batch is then shelled by sheller 28.

[0159] Non-seed (e.g. cob, stalk, leaves) can be discharged (seereference letter D, FIG. 1) via a chute or conveyor to be discarded orotherwise used.

[0160] Line vac LV1 (e.g. model 6063, from Exair, Cincinnati, Ohio) isactivated by controller 12. It is driven by solenoid controlledcompressed air and causes the shelled corn to be pulled from the outletof sheller 28 into air tube 60 and is conveyed first horizontally thenvertically to cyclone 71 at the top of cleaner station 30. Pressurizedair is delivered from the source (FIG. 14) via ½″ O.D. polyethylenetubing and used by the 1½″ I.D. inlet and outlet air vac.

[0161] All air tubes in system 10 are clear PVC food grade tubing, withreinforcing spiral to maintain roundness (size is approx. 1¾″ O.D., 1½″I.D., available from McMaster-Carr of Illinois). Such tubing isflexible. This makes it easy to install and allows the operator tovisually inspect the lines.

[0162] An aspirator 32 optionally could be placed at the outlet ofsheller 28 or integrated into sheller 28 to aspirate the seed, as it isleaves sheller 28. This could assist in removing dirt, debris, orotherwise pre-clean the seeds.

[0163] b. Cleaner

[0164] Controller 12 instructs cleaner 30 to perform a kernel cleancycle after each set of seeds is processed by cleaner 30 (see steps 66and 68, FIG. 2) to remove residual material stuck in the screens, suchas described previously with respect to cleaner 30A in FIG. 1.Optionally (see FIG. 1), the seed can be scalped (step 70, FIG. 2) andthen sieved (step 72, FIG. 2). These steps are conventional furtherprocessing steps as is well known in the art and as discussed furtherlater.

[0165] It again should be noted that in many of these steps along theprocess, undesired seed (e.g. damaged) can be automatically discardedfrom the processing path but accumulated (step 72, FIG. 2B). If it isdetermined, for example by manual inspection by a worker, that desirableseed is in the bagged discard seed, it can be recovered and manuallyinserted in an appropriate “clean” seed bag, e.g., if additional seed isrequired to meet a desired minimum seed count for the sample (step 74).

[0166] General cleaner terminology: The cleaner 30 separates desirableseed based upon size and/or shape. Cleaner 30 consists of two perforatedmetal screens, each paired with an underlying pan. Top screen 260A hasperforations with the diameter of {fraction (26/64)}″ and is referred toas the scalping screen. Lower screen 260B has holes with the diameter of{fraction (18/64)}″ and is referred to as the sieving screen. Thescalping screen's holes are sized such that desirable seed pass throughits holes onto its associated pan 262A. The sieving screen's holes aresized such that broken seed or undesirably small seed pass through itsholes onto the sieving screen's pan 262B.

[0167] Cleaner seed flow: Seed flows from sheller 28 into cleaner feederbucket 72. When controller 12 has determined that cleaner 30 is ready toreceive seed, it opens an associated solenoid valve to energize thetwo-stage pneumatic actuator PN4/5. The first stage of actuator PN4/5opens cleaner feeder bucket door 74 to 1″. This limited opening allowsseed to flow onto scalping screen 260A at a controlled and desirablerate.

[0168] Desirable or “clean” seed flow: The desirable seed flows throughscalping screen 260A onto pan 262A and then falls from the lower end ofpan 262A onto lower or sieving screen 260B. The desirable seed thenflows off screen 260B and exits the cleaner at 266B.

[0169] Discard or “dirty” seed flow: Seed that is too large to passthrough scalping screen 260A slides across the scalping screen 260A ontolower pan 262B associated with the sieving screen 260B. This large seedor debris exits the cleaner at 268B. Seed that is too small is separatedfrom the desirable seed by falling through sieving screen 260B ontosieving screen pan 262B and exits cleaner 30 co-mingled with large seedand debris using 268B.

[0170] Cleaner clean-out cycle: Cleaner 30 and its associated systemshave been optimized to avoid the cross-contamination of seed samples.The first point in the clean-out cycle is for the second stage of thetwo-stage pneumatic actuator PN4/5 on cleaner feeder bucket 72 to opendoor 74 completely. This allows any large debris that might potentiallyplug the bucket's opening to slide onto cleaner 30. The duration of theopening of each of the two stages is controlled by controller 12 and isoptimized for the products or sample sizes being run. If the bucket isnot emptied of debris and seed, it might jam and then allow seed fromthe next sample to leak onto cleaner 30 prior to the removal of theprevious sample.

[0171] Scalping screen 260A is the first screen to receive seed incleaner 30. The seed sample from cleaner feeder bucket 72 quickly flowsover or through the scalping screen 260A. Before scalping screen 260Acan go through a clean-out cycle, all seed must be removed from its pan262A. Cleaner 30 has air jets AJ1 and AJ2 that blow across the sievingscreen 260B and its associated pan 262B. Air jets AJ1 and AJ2 aredirected at an angle such that all seed or debris are propelled offsieving screen 260B and pan 262B prior to the cleanout cycle. Once pan262A is clean, the pneumatic cylinder or actuator 288A (PN3) extends andmoves pan 262A upwards so that it strikes the bottom of scalping screen260A dislodging any seed or debris stuck in scalping screen 260A. Thiscycle is repeated quickly at least twice to dislodge and rapidly moveseed off scalping screen 260A. The length of time allowed for eachportion of the seed sample cleaning process and then for the clean-outprocess is optimized for different materials and sample sizes and isunder the control of controller 12. Contaminating seed is not sensed bysystem 10, but in the future it might be possible for system 10 to knowwhether seed has finished moving through the system and whether or notcontaminating seed or material remains.

[0172] Sieving screen 260B receives the material that flowed throughscalping screen 260A and any seed or debris that is too small flowsthrough the holes in sieving screen 260B and drops onto pan 262B. Whenthe seed sample has been cleaned, pneumatic actuator 288B (PN2) movessieving screen 260B downwards onto pan 262B, thereby dislodging any seedstuck in the holes of sieving screen 260B. This up and down movementoccurs several times in quick succession while the cleaner air jets AJ1blow any remaining or dislodged seed off sieving screen 260B. Thisdislodged seed, plus any other good seed is discharged from cleaner 30at 266B. The air jets (AJ1) are controlled by controller 12 thatenergizes a solenoid controlled air valve that controls the pneumaticcylinder 288A.

[0173] Cleaner 30 of FIG. 26 is a screen cleaner or sizer placed on topof a shaker table 75, such as are commercially available (e.g. ModelInnova 2350 from New Brunswick, Edison, N.J.—gyrational table operatedat 200 rpm, 1″ stroke length—counter-balanced to reduce stress). Table75 assists in the cleaning/sizing process as seeds from a sample enterand travel over the two screens of cleaner 30.

[0174] It is to be understood that device 30 could havecontroller-controlled automated equipment to perform any of thefunctions of cleaning the seed, scalping the seed, or sorting the seedby sieve or other method. FIG. 1 illustrates three such functions.Cleaner 30 can be any device, which separates seed 25 from non-seed.Non-seed material can be directed to a discharge D.

[0175] Cleaner 30 could also size and/or separate seed based on one ormore sensed criteria. Criteria could include, for example, size of seedand/or shape of seed (e.g. flat vs. cylindrical). A variety of types ofsorting and sorting devices are known in the art. For example, seeds 25can be sorted by size. It might be determined that seeds of less than acertain size are not good candidates for use in breeding. Non-desiredseed or material could be directed to a discharge D where it could bedirected for further or different use.

[0176] Cleaner/scalper/sieve 30 can be either one device or acombination of devices. Appropriate internal or external mechanizedcontroller-controlled or gravity-based conveying devices 29 transportseed 25 between functions.

[0177] Thus, cleaner 30 is essentially a seed sizer. As is well known,this could be on the basis of size or shape (e.g. flat versuscylindrical) or both.

[0178] Importantly, cleaner 30 is self-cleaning. In many screencleaners, some seeds and debris get caught in the openings of thescreen. After each cleaning, scalping, sieving, or sorting process,remaining seeds and debris on the screen must be manually removed.System 10 provides for automatic self-cleaning by continuously runningshaker table 75, which continuously urges anything on the screens tomove, and by moving one of the cleaner screen and a plate against oneanother to dislodge anything stuck in the screen openings.

[0179] It is important to clean cleaner 30 after each cycle, not only toremove debris for optimal sorting by cleaner 30, but also to remove anyseeds. If seeds are left, they may contaminate the next sample that isprocessed. For example, one does not want to have a genetically modifiedseed from one sample inadvertently in a non-genetically modified sample.

[0180] Cleaner 30 has two air jets AJ1 and AJ2. The first air jet AJ1 ispositioned above the sieving screen 260B. The second air jet AJ2 islocated below the sieving screen 260B and above the pan 262B. Duringnormal operation, the controller 12 energizes the solenoid of the secondair jet AJ2 during the cleanout cycle, after the scalping screen's panmoves upwards driven by the action of pneumatic cylinder 288A. Thecylinder retracts and extends for three complete cycles. The controllerwaits a small time period (such as 0.5 seconds) and then the second airjet AJ2 is energized and compressed air blows across the sieving screenpan 262B for a period of time (such as 3.5 seconds). The screen 260B isdriven downwards onto pan 262B. This process is repeated three times.This process can be realized by turning on an actuator, waiting a shorttime (such as 250 ms) and turning off the actuator thus creating a rapidslapping action. During this cleanout process the first air jet AJ1 isenergized for 5.5 seconds. This combination of mechanical actions isperformed to dislodge seed from screens 260A and 260B. The blasts of airfrom the air jets AJ1 and AJ2 result in the cleaner being free ofpotential contaminant seeds.

[0181] Thus, the two-stage feed rate deters overwhelming of cleaner 30and the self-cleaning aspects deter contamination of samples.

[0182] FIGS. 27-36 illustrate an embodiment of the cleaner 30illustrated at FIG. 26 in more detail. Flat screen 260 having a pan 262underneath it can be operated as is conventional. Pan 262 can beconnected pivotally to screen 260 by links 264. A rod 265 can beconnected to links 264 on one side of the device and terminate in anactuator 267. Outlets 266 and 268 from screen 260 and receiving pan 262respectively would channel seeds to the respective desired locations. Toclean screen 260, actuator 267 would pull arm 265 to the left. This inturn would pull links 264 in the fashion shown in FIG. 29, which wouldraise pan 262 up against the bottom of screen 260. Pan 262 would beconfigured to have a surface that corresponds with the bottom surface ofscreen 260 and serve to push any debris or seeds lodged in perforationsin screen 260 out, as shown by comparing FIGS. 30 and 31.

[0183] FIGS. 32-34 show a dual staged flat-screened sizer with a seedcleaner such as illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 36. A housing 270 containsscreen/cleaner 260A/262A in its upper portion positioned at a 10 degreeangle relative to the horizontal plane, and screen/cleaner 260B/262B inits lower portion positioned at a 5 degree angle relative to thehorizontal plane. These angles are selected to help seed move quickerover top screen 260A, and essentially allow screen 260A to beself-cleaning; while the smaller angle helps a longer residence time forseeds on bottom screen 260B. Screens 260A and 260B are held stationaryin housing 270. Pan cleaners 262A and 262B are movable between a loweredor away position shown in FIG. 33, to a position up into abutment withthe bottom of screen 260A and 260B as shown in FIG. 34.

[0184] By referring also to FIG. 35, it can be seen that with respect toupper screen 260A and cleaner 262A, an elongated rod 272A is connectedvia pins 274A and 276A to pan 262A through the side walls of housing 270via arcuate slots 278A and 280A. A first link 282A is connected at oneend to pin 274A and a second end to pin 287A, which travels in arcuateslot 286A. Link 282A is pivotally fixed to the side of housing 270 atboth 284A.

[0185] A second link 275A is connected at one end to pin 276A and ispivotally fixed to the side of housing 278 by bolt 292A.

[0186] An actuator 288A is mounted to an interior end wall of housing270 at mounting plate 290 and at an opposite end has an extendable arm290A connected to pin 287A at a generally intermediate position. Asshown by comparing FIGS. 33 and 34, when end 290A of actuator 288A isretracted, pin 262A is in a lowered position. When end 290A of actuator288A is extended, links 282A and 275A are pivoted to opposite positionsrelative to arcuate openings 278A, 286A, and 276A and pan 262A isbrought up against the bottom of screen 260A to perform a cleaningfunction.

[0187] As with prior described embodiments, this action can occur whilethe entire device is oscillating or gyrating (at 200 rpm), or suchmovement can be stopped during the cleaning process. It has been foundthat two quickly repeated movements of pan 262A against screen 260A ispreferable to one such movement as it creates some vibration to assistin dislodging material from the openings in screen 260A.

[0188] Cleaning of lower screen 260B is essentially the same asdescribed with regard to screen 260A, except that screen 260B is moveddown onto pan 262B. As shown in FIG. 33, the components are essentiallythe same although their configuration and orientation differs as shown.The embodiment of FIGS. 33-35 allow sorting to occur at two succeedinglevels. Seeds are output at outlet 266B and 268B respectively for use orfurther conditioning.

[0189]FIG. 36 is similar to FIG. 33 except the position of actuator 288Adiffers.

[0190] With all embodiments, the cleaner would perform cleaning onindividual screens either through self-motorization or by utilizing themovement of each screen itself. Therefore, the embodiments do notrequire any complicated attachment to a single drive force even if therewere multiple screens involved. Variations obvious to one skilled in theart will be defined by the claims. For example, the embodiments can beutilized for a wide variety of screen sizes. The embodiment of FIGS.26-36 is believed to be better for smaller sized screens. Cleaner 30 isconnected to controller 12 which controls the pneumatic actuators forcylinders PN2 and 3 and air jets AJ1 and AJ2 for the self-cleaningprocess.

[0191]FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate how desired seed or “product” isfunneled to clean seed or product hopper 80 and unwanted material andseed, “dirty seed” is funneled to dirty seed hopper 81. Actuators PN6and PN7 respectively operate slide gates that control the release ofseed from either hopper. Upon instruction from controller 12, one or theother or both slide gates 82 and 83 are moved from normally closed toopen positions. “Cleaned” seed is transported by transport tube 100 (byactuation of line vac LV2) to sorter station 36. The slide gates areessentially a plate with a portion big enough to block the pathwaybetween the hopper and its discharge, and another portion with anopening generally matching the size of the pathway out of the bottom ofthe relevant hopper. Its associated actuator simply slides the gate tothe desired state, closed or blocking the pathway; or open whichunblocks the pathway. This can be handled well with a linear doubleacting pneumatic cylinder.

[0192] Normally about 5%-10% of the sample is discharged as “dirty”,mostly comprising broken seeds or foreign material. Thus, a substantialmajority of the sample is passed as “clean” or selected product.

[0193] Note that a perforated section 108 of tube 100 (see FIG. 27)could be used below bucket 80. This 4″-5″ section could be made ofgalvanized metal, 1½″ I.D., 14 gauge, with several hundred {fraction(3/32)}″ offset holes 109. This would assist the movement of seedsthrough the respective air tube, especially where relatively largevolumes of seed accumulate, for example, possibly at the cleaner bucketand at the color sorter bucket for good product. It allows easier airmovement into the conveyance tube to transport the seed sample to itsnext destination. Otherwise, the use of airtight tubes and gates may notprovide sufficient volume and velocity of air to fluidize the seed.Perforated sections like section 108 could be used at other parts ofsystem 10, particularly where relatively large amounts of seed need tobe conveyed.

[0194] C. Color Sorter

[0195] Once processed to step 72 (see flow chart of FIG. 2), the seed isaccumulated (step 74) and a kernel clean process is instructed bycontroller 12 (steps 76 and 78). This self-cleaning could includeoperation of an air jet AJ3 to rid color sorter 36 of any seeds thatmight be lodged or otherwise remain in color sorter 36. Active cleaningof color sorter 36 is accomplished by an air jet AJ3 at the funnel 103and chute 104 (see FIGS. 37B and 40).

[0196] Controller 12 can operate pneumatic conveyor 33 to move seed 25to the step of color sorting at reference numeral 80 in FIG. 2B. Colorsorting can be used to remove diseased, damaged, or otherwiseundesirable kernels based on color or other differences that can bediscriminated in a video imaging of at least a portion of a seed. Theprocess of color sorting alone can eliminate a significant part(estimated at half) the manual labor involved in such processing of cornseed.

[0197] Non-destructive evaluation and/or automated counting (step 82)can take place. Non-destructive evaluation can include, for example, thetypes of sensing previously described; e.g. measurement of moisture,weight, oil content, etc. Database (see step 84, FIG. 2B) in a computersystem can instruct the process regarding the type and amount of seedthat is desired (step 86). The system can compare the actual count (step82) to the requested seed count (step 88) as well as check whethermoisture or other characteristics is/are acceptable (step 90). Forexample, NIR analyzer 36D of FIG. 1 could be used to select only highoil content seed 25 based on NIR sensing and sorting similar to thecolor sorting shown in FIG. 3.

[0198] Air transport 100 (FIG. 337B) is another pneumatic conveyor, witha tube operatively connected to a controller-controlled pressurized airsource 34 that can lift seeds 25 vertically.

[0199] Cleaned seeds are lifted to color sorter cyclone 101 and drop bygravity into color sorter feeder bucket 102. Upon instruction ofcontroller 12, color sorter feeder bucket actuator PN8 opens hinged door110 (FIG. 40) which opens a pathway for the seeds to fall into sorterfeeder funnel 103, and then into color sorter seed chute 104.

[0200] Color sorter 36 is commercially available model ScanMaster 200 IEfrom Satake, Houston, Tex. Color sorting is well known and has been usedto sort such things as rice, peanuts, cubed vegetables, beans, potatochips, and frozen foods. It uses a digital imagining device or camera 38to discriminate, on a seed 25 by seed 25 basis, whether or not to accepta seed 25 based on information discerned by imaging at least portions ofeach seed 25. Model 200 IE normally uses a vibratory feeder as an inputof materials into the color sorter. However, color sorter 36 insteaduses a feeder bucket 102 with a gate 110 controlled by controller 12.

[0201] The basic principles of operation of a color sorter areillustrated at FIG. 38. A conveying mechanism 348, controlled by acontroller-controlled actuator 350, receives incoming seeds 25 fromsource 333. The plurality of seeds 25 are presented serially and atgenerally uniform velocity along some type of conveyor 348 or path (seeseeds 25A-H in FIG. 38). Color sorter 36 (FIGS. 37A-C) directs seedsfrom feeder 102 into a plurality of generally parallel paths orchannels, so that sorting of each channel can occur simultaneously forgreater throughput. In comparison, FIG. 38 shows just one path orchannel for simplicity of illustration. Color sorter 36 (FIGS. 37A-C)also uses gravity to convey the seeds through the channels, see seedfunnel 103 and ramp 104 in FIGS. 37C and 40. Once the channels areformed, seeds actually fall in free space for a time. The structure ofcolor sorter 36 encourages a seed trajectory of a consistent speed.Color sorter 36 is set up to handle on the order of 200 seeds perchannel per second. Funnel 103 concentrates the seeds accumulated infeeder bucket 102 into four principal channels, although the ScanMasteraccommodates 10 channels. This is because it is believed a steady flowgives better results than an intermittent flow. This results in athroughput on the order of 800 seeds per second. For typicalapproximately 2000 seed samples, one sample can be color sorted inapproximately 5 seconds. This represents a very substantial saving intime over manual inspection of 2000 seeds.

[0202] Referring back to FIG. 38 for illustration purposes, a lightsource 354 of substantial intensity illuminates the seeds. A digitalvideo-imaging device 358 captures images of the illuminated seeds. Alight bar control 356 and video processor/controller 360 are operativelyconnected to devices 354 and 358 to illuminate and digitally scan seeds25 as they serially pass thereunder. The video scans are evaluated byprocessor 360 (and computer 14) against predetermined criteria based onvisual characteristics of seed 25. For example, diseased portions ofharvested corn seed is usually darker in color than that non-diseasedseed. By appropriate calibration, seed 25 can be visually discriminatedby comparison to adjustable color or darkness/lightness thresholdsprogrammed into the system.

[0203] In color sorter 36 (FIGS. 37A-C), two sides of the seeds can beilluminated as they fall in free space (two light sources are used, oneabove and one below the channels of falling seed). Two CCD imagers, oneabove and one below the channels, can be used to examine two sides ofthe seeds to more completely check for undesired seeds.

[0204] Referring back to FIG. 38 for illustration purposes, acontroller-controlled deflecting ejector 366 is positioned downstream ofimaging device 358. By coordination with imaging device 358, a ejectionactuator 368 can operate ejector 366 to cause identified non-desiredseed 25 to be physically deflected from conveyor 348 (see arrow 364relative to seed 25D in FIG. 38). It is calibrated to take into accountthe time between detection of a bad seed and the time to fire theejector based on known velocity of the seeds. Ejector 366 could be anair jet (one per channel) and ejection actuator 368 a source ofpressurized air. The dwell time of the air jets would be adjustable.More dwell time would increase the probability of propelling a seeddesignated for discard out of the falling stream of seeds, but alsorisks ejecting seeds that are not designated to be ejected. Adjustmentscan be made based on empirical testing.

[0205] Alternatively, ejector 366 could be a pneumatic, hydraulic orelectro-mechanically actuated arm or finger that would physically knockor push an ejected seed 25 from conveyor 348, as controlled by actuator368.

[0206] Non-ejected seeds 25 would pass ejector 366 without deflectionand be directed by conveyor 348 to device 36A, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0207] It is to be understood that color sorter 36A could take on manyconfigurations. Color sorter 36 of FIGS. 37A-C and 39-45 uses gravityand seed chutes to send seeds moving down separate parallel paths andthen into a free fall in those aligned paths. Light bars on both sidesof the dropping seeds illuminate two sides of the sides. The CCD imagerline scans and compares its pixel values to thresholds. Softwarerecognizes what is probably a seed versus air. If a programmed thresholdis exceeded, color sorter identifies which seed, and knowing itsapproximate velocity, operates an air jet (AJ3) at the appropriate timeto deflect an undesired seed to discard. Other configurations andmethodologies could also be used.

[0208] Selected (non-ejected) seeds fall into color sorter bucket 106(FIGS. 37C and 41). As shown in FIG. 37A, 37C, and 41, before they reachbucket 106 the seeds pass through counter 105. Counter 105 is a granularmedia sensor model GMC from Jacobson-Holtz Engineering, Perry, Iowa. Itcan provide controller 12 (via a mV signal) a reasonably accurate count(approx. +/−10%) of the number of seeds passing by. It provides countinformation for the batch being processed. The count is accurate enoughto tell if there is enough seed in the processed sample to ship to meeta request. As a default, system 10 requires a minimum 500 seedthreshold.

[0209] A variety of such counters are available off the shelves. Oneexample measures the dielectric constant of a gap between two sensingelectrodes. Depending on the presence and amount of seed between theelectrodes, a dielectric constant is sensed compared to when no seed isin the gap. When some seed is detected, it is considered an “event”. Thechange of dielectric constant can be calibrated based on the number ofseeds by assigning a number of pulses to the sensed dielectric constant,and thus a total seed count for different samples can be derivedautomatically and quickly by comparing the number of pulses to thecalibration. Photo-optical counters are another example.

[0210] Discard or “dirty” (ejected) seed separated by color sorter 36fall into a “dirty” seed funnel 112. The position of sway valve 113(FIGS. 41-44) determines if this collected “dirty” seed is sent viapneumatic transport tube 120 and line vac LV5 to trash cyclone 121 (seeFIG. 15), or via transport tube 118 to bagging station 37. Swap valveactuator PN11 operates a slide plate 114 which has two openings 115A andB from which two tubular connectors extend, to which are attached airtransport tubes 120 and 118. In a trash cyclone position, plate 114 isslid to a position that allows discard seed access to transport tube120. In a bagging position, plate 114 is slid to a position that allowsthe discard seed into transport tube 118. This is selectable by theoperator and under control of controller 12. One opening 118 in fixedplate 119 is in fluid communication with line vac LV5. Slide plate 114is slidable by actuator PN11 to either align its opening 115A or 115Bwith opening 118 in fixed plate 119.

[0211] Note also that a diverter valve 116 is positioned just ahead of(upstream of) counter 105. Diverter valve actuator PN9 can be operatedby controller 12 to block the pathway of “good” (non-ejected) seed fromcolor sorter 36 and instead direct such seed into diverter drop tube117, where it will fall into dirty seed funnel 112. This can occur ifcounter 115 indicates a seed count threshold has been exceeded. Suchdiverted, but otherwise “good” (not “dirty”) seed will be handled withthe discard or “dirty” seeds as previously described.

[0212] A slide gate 107 at the bottom of color sorter bucket 106 iscontrolled by actuator PN10 (under controller control) when controller12 authorizes bucket 106 to be dumped. See FIGS. 37A, 37C, and 39.

[0213] Other characteristics of a seed 25 could also be remotely,non-destructively obtained in real time under controller control as theseed 25 is being conveyed in system 10. As shown in FIG. 1, a nearinfrared spectroscopy device 36D could be used not only to measuremoisture, but a variety of other characteristics. See U.S. Pat. No.5,991,025, to Wright, et al., incorporated by reference herein. Otherexamples are nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Roman spectroscopy.Examples of characteristics that can be non-destructively sensed inessentially real time include but are not limited to oil content,protein content, moisture, color chemical properties, genetic make-up,width, length.

[0214] e. Bagger/Labeler

[0215] If the answer to boxes 88 or 90 of the program of FIG. 2 is “no”,the process (FIG. 2B) loops to provide the seed count and determinesmoisture level (step 92) prior to automatically filling a bag (step 94)with the processed seed of desired characteristics.

[0216] Database 96 provides the necessary information to create theappropriate label (step 98) and/or the appropriate box and/or shippinglabel (step 100).

[0217] System 10 and its methods of operation removes a substantialamount, if not most, of the manual aspects of such seed handling andprocessing. It can represent up to a four-fold increase in samplesprocessed each day while using much less labor. The invention overcomesdisadvantages of the prior art by dramatically reducing the laborrequired and by allowing a continuous flow of seed samples through theprocess under the control of a controller linked to a PC-based userinterface and database.

[0218] System 10 provides for a speedy processing of seed. System 10allows for integration of several functions under automatic control.System 10 isolates seed, as needed, during the processing. It alsoreduces errors, particularly erroneous mixing between samples.

[0219] FIGS. 46-53 show a bagger station 37. Desired product from colorsorter 36 is pneumatically conveyed via air transport tube 140 tobagging cyclone 141, and then drops into bagging product bucket 122(FIGS. 49-51). Two measurements are taken in bucket 122.

[0220] Seed sample weight can be obtained (see device 36C in FIG. 1).Load cells 123 (Model RL1010, 15 Kg load cell, 2 mV/V, with 4 channelsumming box 4LC100-SEE from Rice Lake Weighing Systems, Rice Lake, Wis.)support bucket 122 on the framework of bagger station 37. Loadexperienced by load cells 123 is translated into weight of the seed(weight of bucket 122 is subtracted) and is read by controller 12.

[0221] Moisture content is be measured by a controller-controlled device124. A variety of methods could be used to obtain such a measurementremotely and non-destructively in essentially real time. One example isa photo-acoustic method, such as is well known. Another example is useof near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, such as shown and described inco-owned issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,025 to Wright, et al.

[0222] Moisture probe 124 (FIG. 49) is a capacitive moisture probe, suchas is known in the art and mounts through the back of bucket 122,extending into its interior so that it can extend into the seed thataccumulates there. An interior bucket (see reference numeral 129 in FIG.50) fills up first to get uniform volumes of seed from measurement tomeasurement. After interior bucket 129 is filled, additional seed spillsout into bucket 122. Other such methods are possible.

[0223] By monitoring moisture of each sample accumulated at baggingstation 37, system 10 can alert the operator on controller display 13 ifa sample is too wet (e.g. above 13½% water by weight). If the moisturethreshold is exceeded, the operator could remove the sample and dry itto an acceptable moisture level before packaging it for shipment.

[0224] System 10 does not automatically open the hinged bottom door 125on bucket 122 (see FIG. 50) when it determines seed in bucket 122 isready to bag. Rather, it sends a signal to the operator that the seedsample is accumulated in bucket 122 and ready to bag. The signal is ablinking light. Other types of signals are possible. System 10 waits fora response from the operator. The operator can acknowledge the signal,be prompted to have a bag or bags in place, and then affirmativelyinform system 10 that the appropriate bag or bags is/are in place (e.g.by hitting a key or pushing a button (e.g. 22 mm illuminated push-buttonswitch, model HW1L-M4F11Q-G-24V from IDEC Corporation of Sunnyvale,Calif.) or touch screen). Optionally, a microswitch could sense that abag is in place and ready for filling. Controller 12 would then operatebagging product actuator PN12 after weight and moisture measurements areobtained and the product would fall by gravity through bagging funnel126 and into a bag mounted to bag holder 127.

[0225] Several different sized bag holders 127 are mounted to baggingstation 37 under funnel 126, to accommodate different sized bags, asshown.

[0226] Bagging station 37 also can bag seed or materials not selected inthe processing cycle of system 10, the “dirty” material. Such materialcan be conveyed from other parts of system 10 pneumatically to dirtybagging cyclone 121 where it would accumulate in dirty bagging bucket132. It can either be selectively pneumatically conveyed to anotherlocation (such as a dirty product dump 133—see FIG. 15) or actuator PN13can be operated by controller 12 to open a bottom door 134 (FIG. 53) inbucket 132, and the dirty product would fall by gravity into dirtyproduct funnel 135 and into a bag mounted to dirty product bag holder136.

[0227] System 10 therefore allows decisions to be executed, such aswhere “dirty” seed is sent. It is many times desirable to save “dirty”seed, because it could contain acceptable seed which then would beavailable if the good sample is not enough or for warehousing for lateruse.

[0228] Also, it is possible to configure system 10 to add in one or moreadditional stations or functions prior to bagging of samples. Asdiscussed earlier, for example, another air transport could be added toconvey a sample to a non-destructive evaluator like disclosed in Wrightet al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,025, or for other processing or measurements.

[0229] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a label printer 42 (e.g. Model 105SEfrom Zebra, Vernon Hills, Ill.), controlled by PC 14, could print andapply a bar-coded label with desired information to bag 20A.

[0230] The information on label 22, and a corresponding database, couldbe in the form of Table 2. TABLE 2 Database field Data Entries TableField 1 search barcode:        Field 2 weight:        Field 3 moisture:       Field 4 seed count:        Field 5 sample too wet:        Field 6box ID:        Field 7 shell time & date:        Field 8 duplicatesample:        Field 9 duplicate sequence number Field 10 dirty bagsaved Field 11 contact e-mail Field 12 <user defined> (as many fields asneeded) Box Table Field 1 Box ID Field 2 Box Full Field 3 sample countField 4 ship weight Field 5 date shipped Field 6 <user defined>

[0231] Other information, of course, can be contained in such databasetables, including specific test plot identification and location, seedinventory number(s), experiment number(s), etc.

[0232] PC 14 can use a program to match up certain columns in its localdatabase 37 with what is desired to be printed in label 22. For example,commercially available program Bar Tender from Seagull Scientific, Inc.of Bellevue, Wash. can be used for this purpose. It makes it easy toformat the label relative the database. Therefore, other or differentinformation could be printed on label 22, as desired. Normally, label 22will always have a unique ID of the sample that can be correlated to thelocal and/or central database.

[0233] Label could be part bar code and part human readable. Forexample, it could contain special information such as warnings, thatwould be human readable. One example is that it could explicitly statethat the contents of the package contain genetically modified seeds,which have to be handled carefully.

[0234] Labels for bags of “good” product and “dirty” product coulddiffer.

[0235] Software of system 10 thus creates a label for each validatedsample that arrives at and is ready for bagging. Printer 42 can alsocreate a box label 45 for box, which would essentially be a packinglabel for box 44, listing by some identification, everything to beplaced in box 44. Also, because weight of each sample is known (alongwith weight of the empty bags), system 10 can accumulate total weightfor multiple packaged samples and alert the operator when a total weightthreshold is reached (for example, certain air freight or overnight airexpress companies have a maximum weight limit per box (e.g. 70 lbs.).

[0236] As shown in the Figures, and described herein, system 10 presentsa combination of apparatus that can receive ear corn 19, automaticallyprocess it, and discharge it into bags 20. Within system 10, componentsautonomously move the ear corn or seed corn from station to station.Additionally, system 10 instructs each station and the conveyingcomponents to perform their respective operations.

[0237] Overall, samples with approximately 2000 corn seeds take on theorder of 40 seconds per sample through system 10.

[0238] Additionally, as illustrated at FIG. 1, one or more automaticmessage can be generated and sent (e.g. via an email server such as areknown) by system 10 after processing of a sample. For example, PC 14could use an application such as Microsoft Outlook and its MAPI functionto automatically send emails to a designated person(s) notifying them ofthe date a certain sample had been processed and its count. Such personsthus are notified what to expect. The designated persons could be a keycontact for the experiment, a customer/client of the plant breeder, orin-house personnel. System 10 can evaluate whether the sample meets arequest from the central database. Other information or uses of theinformation about samples in system 10 of course are possible. Automaticfacsimile, paging, or other notifications are possible.

[0239] F. Option, Alternatives, and Features

[0240] The included preferred embodiment is given by way of example onlyand not by way of limitation to the invention which is solely describedby the claims herein. Variations obvious to one skill in the art will beincluded within the invention defined by the claims.

[0241] For example, system 10 could be configured to provide just one orjust a couple of functions. Use of color sorting alone will decreaselabor and increase throughput. Use of an NIR spectrometry alone as adiscriminator, would allow quick and accurate sorting based on, forexample, high oil content.

[0242] Or, some functions could be eliminated or combined. For example,sometimes the cleaning function may not be necessary. By way of anotherexample, cleaning and color sorting might be combined in one station.

[0243] For example, with soybeans, no shelling is needed. With soybeans,a thresher is used instead of a sheller. The thresher used to receiveplants and then separate the grain or seed from the straw. Cleaningcould be performed with a spiral separator. Sorting might be done with aNMR device discriminating seeds based on oil content. Selected seedscould be placed into wells on trays instead of into bags.

[0244] Computer 14 and controller 12 might be combined into one station,device or processor.

[0245] The ability to automate all or part of the process can becombined with the automated labeling and bar code scanning processes tokeep control of inventory and shipping.

[0246] Alternatives to bar codes on tags or labels could possibly beused. One example is radio frequency (rf) identification or tags, suchas are commercially available. Any type of digitizable ID that can bemachine read may be possible.

[0247] Cleaner 30 could be a vision sorter using machine vision todetermine size and/or shape of individual seeds and accept or discardthem based on programmed parameters. Machine vision could also performthe color sorting function. Other non-destructive techniques, like thosementioned earlier, could be used to discriminate between seeds on otherbases, such as oil content, constituents, etc.

[0248] System 10 can include automatic dust collection. Using theability to create vacuum, system 10 could vacuum up dust or lighterdebris in system 10 and discharge it, or convey it to a discard bin forsystem 10.

[0249] System 10 could also be configured to run a clean out or unloadcycle. System would run a conventional sequence of processes but withouta sample to clean out lingering debris or seeds from system 10.

[0250] System 10 could optionally be used for any of its functions. Forexample, it could be used for a seed counter alone. Likewise, just forany of the other functions, or, for any combination of functions. Forexample, it could be used as a sheller/bagger, or a size sorter/bagger,or as a sheller/size sorter/color sorter.

[0251] Alternative conveyors could be used. Examples might includebucket conveyors or augers. Others are possible.

[0252] Optionally, sensors could be used at locations throughout system10 to detect the presence of a sample and be used by controller 12 toprocess each sample, as opposed to using primarily timing to controlconveyance and operations of each station on a sample.

[0253] System 10 could also be programmed to automatically adjust thesettings of various stations based upon monitoring of what occurs with asample at a first station, or based on information in the harvest tag.For example, if the time to shell a sample were measured at sheller 28,system 10 could be configured to change its timing for succeedingstations based on shelling time. If a relatively long shelling time isobserved, system 10 would assume a relatively large sample quantity andperhaps lengthen the time allotted to operation of cleaner 30.

[0254] The concept of tracking individual sets of seed or samples ofseed through system 10 can be used to maintain spatial separation of oneset or sample of seed from other seeds. One can establish, by empiricaltesting, a timing regime wherein each set of seed has a certain amountof time in or at each station of system 10. Because the state of thecontrol gates that control when seed can move in and out of each stationis known, controller 12 can keep track of which gates have opened andclosed at which part of system 10 for each set or sample, and thussystem 10 via controller 12 essentially knows where each seed set orsample is at in system 10. Empirical testing for a given type and/orvolume and/or characteristics of seed can reveal how much time is neededin each station for the set of seeds to be completely processed.Controller 12 can be programmed to give that amount of time, or perhapsa little more, for its relevant station, before letting the next set ofseeds or sample to begin entry into that station. Thus, system 10 can beprogrammed in a timing regime in a manner which has shown to allowacceptable processing with clean out for each station until a succeedingsample is allowed to progress into that station. The amount of timeshould be minimized while maintaining sufficient time to ensure reliablecompletion of processing and clean out. Thus, even without positionsensors, spatial separation of plural seed samples progressing throughsystem 10 can be maintained.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of automated handling of a set ofpreviously harvested seed comprising: (a) providing a unique identifierto a set of seed; (b) automatically performing one or more operations onthe set of seed; (c) automatically accumulating an end product from theset of seed and storing information about the end product correlated tothe identifier.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising segregatingthe set of seed from a second set of seed.
 3. The method of claim 1further comprising a plurality of sets of previously harvested seeds,each provided with a unique identifier, automatically performing saidone or more operations while tracking and segregating each set of seedfrom each other.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoringsaid operations for conditions indicative of an error.
 5. The method ofclaim 3 wherein the conditions indicative of an error comprise one ormore of (a) over capacity, (b) possibility of commingling of sets ofseed, (c) improper operation; (d) lack of validation against a data set;(e) improper set of seeds relative to operational set-up.
 6. The methodof claim 3 further comprising regulating movement of a set of seed todeter reaching over-capacity for any operation.
 7. The method of claim 1wherein progression of a said set of seeds through said one or moreoperations is controlled while maintaining segregation of the set ofseeds.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein control of progression comprisesmaintaining spatial separation of each set of seeds operating on theseeds and allowing recovery of each set of seeds while preserving itsidentity from other sets of seeds.
 9. The method of claim 2 furthercomprising conveying said set of seed to an outlet wherein said trackingprovides information used to verify which set of seed is at the outlet.10. The method of claim 2 further comprising conveying said set of seedto and through said one or more operations, said tracking providinginformation to verify the location of the set of seed between input andoutput.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the tracking comprisingtracking the state of the operations relative the set of seeds.
 12. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the state of the operations includesmonitoring status of devices that control conveyance of the set ofseeds.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the sets of seed are seedsamples.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the seed samples are relatedto a plant breeding program.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein theplant breeding program is a corn breeding program.
 16. The method ofclaim 13 wherein the plant breeding program is a soybean breedingprogram.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the operations comprise oneor more of (a) separating a set of seed from a carrier or adheringvegetation, tissues or structure, (b) cleaning, (c) discriminatingbetween seeds in the set of seeds, (d) counting, (e) measuring moisturecontent, (f) measuring weight, (g) evaluating non-destructively, (h)measuring temperature.
 18. The method of claim 1 further comprisingdirecting said end product into a container.
 19. The method of claim 4wherein said data set comprises a data base, a spreadsheet, or a mappedmemory.
 20. The method of claim 4 further comprising generating a labelfor the set of seed or subset thereof based at least in part oninformation from the data set.
 21. The method of claim 1 wherein theoperations are self-cleaning.
 22. The method of claim 20 wherein theoperations include a cleaning/size sorting operation which isself-cleaning.
 23. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating anotification for transmission to a remote location related toaccumulated data regarding the set of seed and communicating thenotification.
 24. The method of claim 1 further comprising separatingundesired non-seed material and some seeds from the set of seeds duringsaid one or more operations.
 25. The method of claim 23 wherein saidseparated non-seed material and said some seeds are either discarded oraccumulated for possible future use.
 26. The method of claim 1 whereinthe operations are programmable dependent upon selected parameters. 27.The method of claim 25 wherein the parameters are related to differencesbetween different types of seeds or differences between conditions ofthe same type of seeds.
 28. An apparatus for automatically handling of aset of previously harvested seeds comprising a plurality of seeds oflike characteristics comprising: (a) a seed input; (b) a seed output;(c) a handling system operatively associated with the input and output;(d) a controller which (d1) accepts or assigns an ID to a set of seeds,(d2) controls the processing of the set of seeds to the outlet and, (d3)controls accumulation of seed from the set of seed into an end productand accumulation of information about seed from the set of seed andcorrelates the same with the ID.
 29. The apparatus of claim 27 whereinthe machine-readable ID is a bar code.
 30. The apparatus of claim 27wherein the machine-readable ID is a RF ID tag.
 31. The apparatus ofclaim 27 wherein the processing system includes a programmableprocessor, a seed processing device, and a conveyance component.
 32. Theapparatus of claim 30 wherein the programmable processor comprises aprogrammable data acquisition device for process control.
 33. Theapparatus of claim 31 wherein the programmable processor is a computer.34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the programmable processor is aprogrammable logic controller (PLC).
 35. The apparatus of claim 27further comprising actuators, controlled by the processing system,adapted to control timing and conveyance of the sets of seed.
 36. Theapparatus of claim 34 further comprising a sensor adapted to sense thestate of an actuator.
 37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein theprocessing system is programmed to control the operation of theactuators to keep spatial separation between certain sets of seeds whilebeing simultaneously processed by the apparatus.
 38. The apparatus ofclaim 36 wherein the programming maintains spatial separation by atiming regime implemented by said processor for controlling theactuators.
 39. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising using a setof sensors to report a state of a set of actuators relative to time toallow said processing system to track each set of seeds through theprocessing.
 40. The apparatus of claim 38 further comprising programmedsafeguards to control, stop or delay processing upon sensing of acertain condition.
 41. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said certaincondition relates to amount of seed, state of actuators, or feed rate ofseeds.
 42. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said operations compriseone or more of (a) separating seeds from a carrier or adheringvegetation, tissues or structure, (b) separating seed from non-seed ordamaged seed, (c) sorting seeds based on a characteristic of the seed.43. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a database associatedwith the processing system.
 44. The apparatus of claim 42 furthercomprising a communication link between said database and a seconddatabase.
 45. A method for processing seed derived from an experimentalplot comprising: (a) correlating a seed sample to a plot; (b) assigningor accepting correlation information for said seed sample; (c)performing operations on the seed sample; (d) accumulating at least someof the sample; (e) non-destructively deriving/measuring one or morecharacteristics of the accumulated seed; (f) storing a derived/measuredcharacteristic; (g) collecting the accumulated seed for further use. 46.The method of claim 44 wherein the seed is corn seed.
 47. The method ofclaim 45 wherein the seed is originally attached to its carrier, a cob.48. The method of claim 44 wherein the seed is soybean seed.
 49. Themethod of claim 47 wherein the soybean seed is originally attached toits carrier, a soybean plant or part thereof.
 50. The method of claim 44wherein the processing is in association with a plant breedingexperiment.
 51. The method of claim 44 wherein the correlation stepcomprises associating a machine-readable tag with one or more carriers,or vegetation, tissues or structures containing said seed sample;machine-reading the tag; and validating information on the tag to a database related to the experiment.
 52. The method of claim 44 wherein theoperations comprise at least one of the following: (a) separating theseed from a carrier, (b) cleaning, (c) sorting based on size, (d)sorting based on other than size and the step of deriving/measuringcomprises at least of one of: (a) weight, (b) moisture content; (c)number of seeds; (d) constituents of the seeds, (e) temperature of theseeds.
 53. The method of claim 44 further comprising communicating toone or more databases information related to said seeds, said operationsand/or said deriving/measuring.
 54. The method of claim 52 furthercomprising generating a label that can be associated with the collectedseed based on the updated database.
 55. The method of claim 44 furthercomprising generating a communication related to the accumulated seedfor transmission to a predetermined addressee.
 56. The method of claim54 wherein the communication comprises one or more of (a) identificationof accumulated seed, (b) time/date of harvest of seed, (c) time/date ofperformance of said operations on the seed.
 57. The method of claim 44further comprising simultaneously processing a plurality of samples. 58.The method of claim 56 further comprising controlling movement of andoperations on said seed to maintain separation of seed from one sampleof seed from other samples.
 59. The method of claim 57 whereinseparation is achieved by disallowing any seed for one sample to move toa location occupied by seed from another sample.
 60. The method of claim57 wherein separation is achieved by sequencing operations so that anoperation on a succeeding seed sample can not begin until that operationon an immediately preceding seed sample is deemed completed.
 61. Themethod of claim 44 further comprising the operation of sizing seeds by aself-cleaning perforated sizing screen comprising: moving one of asurface and the sizing screen towards the other.
 62. The method of claim44 wherein the correlation information is compared to a data set. 63.The method of claim 44 further comprising directing pressurized airtowards the screen or surface.
 64. An apparatus for processing corn seedderived from an experimental plot comprising: (a) a device including acomponent for sorting seed based on sensed characteristics of the seed;(b) a programmable controller; (c) a conveyance system controlled by theprogrammable controller and adapted to convey seed from the sortingcomponent and to a packaging station.
 65. The apparatus of claim 63 forprocessing ear corn or unthreshed soybeans further comprising a deviceto shell or thresh in a conveyance path positioned prior to the sorter.66. The apparatus of claim 63 further comprising a cleaner devicepositioned in a conveyance path.
 67. The apparatus of claim 63 furthercomprising a machine vision device to automatically read informationrelated to a set of seed.
 68. The apparatus of claim 66 furthercomprising operative connection to a computer having a database.
 69. Theapparatus of claim 63 further comprising a label applicator device forprinting a machine-readable label to a container for holding seeds. 70.The apparatus of claim 63 further comprising a sensor to track movementand location of the seed in the apparatus.
 71. The apparatus of claim 63further comprising a non-destructive analyzer positioned adjacent to theconveyance path adapted to sense a characteristic of the seed.
 72. Theapparatus of claim 70 wherein the characteristics are selected from theset comprising weight, color, moisture, chemical properties, physicalproperties, temperature.
 73. The apparatus of claim 63 furthercomprising a cleaner device including a self-cleaning sizing screencomprising: a cleaning member having a surface generally correspondingin width to a screen to be cleaned; a dedicated actuator associated withone of the cleaning member and the sizing screen to bring said one ofthe cleaning member and the sizing screen towards the other.
 74. Theapparatus of claim 72 further comprising said surface corresponding inwidth and length to the screen to be cleaned.
 75. The apparatus of claim73 wherein the sizing screen is a flat screen.
 76. The apparatus ofclaim 74 wherein one of the cleaning member and the sizing screen ispositioned to move towards the other.
 77. A method of handling sets ofcorn seed comprising: (a) validating the identity of a previouslyharvested ear corn sample; (b) shelling the ear corn; (c) autonomouslysorting the shelled corn based on characteristics automaticallynon-destructively sensed from the shelled corn; (d) maintaining, inisolation from other seeds, a selected set of the sorted seeds; (e)accumulating the isolated set of sorted seeds for further use.
 78. Themethod of claim 76 wherein the autonomous sorting comprises colorsorting the shelled corn based on pre-programmed criteria.
 79. Themethod of claim 76 wherein the characteristics are selected from the setcomprising weight, color, moisture, chemical properties, physicalproperties, temperature.
 80. The method of claim 76 wherein the sensingis by spectroscopy.
 81. The method of claim 79 where the spectroscopy isnear infrared spectroscopy.
 82. The method of claim 76 wherein thesensing is by non-destructive analysis.
 83. The method of claim 76further comprising cleaning the seed.
 84. The method of claim 76 furthercomprising scalping the shelled corn prior to sorting.
 85. The method ofclaim 76 further comprising sizing the shelled corn prior to sorting.86. The method of claim 84 wherein the sizing is by size of the seed.87. The method of claim 84 wherein the sizing is by shape of the seed.88. The method of claim 76 further comprising counting the autonomouslysorted shelled seed.
 89. The method of claim 87 further comprisingbagging a pre-determined quantity of the counted seed.
 90. The method ofclaim 76 further comprising automatically controlling and tracking theconveyance of the corn during the process.
 91. The method of claim 76further comprising controlling the timing of conveyance of the seed. 92.The method of claim 76 further comprising cleaning the sample on aperforated sizing screen and self-cleaning the sizing screen by movingof one a surface and a side of the sizing screen to the other.
 93. Themethod of claim 91 wherein a said screen is a flat screen and saidsurface is a flat corresponding surface.
 94. A method of handling setsof soybean seed comprising: (a) validating the identity of a previouslyharvested soybean plant sample; (b) threshing the soybean plant; (c)autonomously sorting the threshed soybean seeds based on characteristicsautomatically non-destructively sensed from the soybean seeds; (d)maintaining, in isolation from other seeds, a selected set of the sortedseeds; (e) accumulating the isolated set of sorted seeds for furtheruse.
 95. The method of claim 93 wherein the characteristics are selectedfrom the set comprising weight, moisture, chemical properties, physicalproperties, temperature.
 96. The method of claim 93 wherein the sensingis by spectroscopy.
 97. The method of claim 95 where the spectroscopy isnear infrared spectroscopy.
 98. The method of claim 93 wherein thesensing is by non-destructive analysis.
 99. The method of claim 93further comprising cleaning the seed.
 100. The method of claim 93further comprising sizing the seed prior to sorting.
 101. The method ofclaim 99 wherein the sizing is by shape of the seed.
 102. The method ofclaim 93 further comprising counting the seed.
 103. The method of claim101 further comprising bagging a pre-determined quantity of the countedseed.
 104. The method of claim 93 further comprising automaticallycontrolling and tracking the conveyance of the soybean seed during theprocess.
 105. An apparatus for automatically processing previouslyharvested seed samples for a corn plant breeding program comprising: (a)a harvest tag including machine readable identification informationassociated with each sample of a plurality of samples; (b) a shellerhaving an input and an output; (c) an automated cleaner/size sorterhaving an input and an output; (d) an automated machine vision sorterhaving an input and an output; (e) a bagging station having an input andan output; (f) an automatic conveyance system between (b) and (c), (c)and (d) and (d) and (e); (g) a sensor of a characteristic of the sampleor the state of a sample; (h) a controller operatively connected to theconveyance system adapted to instruct operation of the conveyance systemand to track and maintain segregation of a sample or subset of a samplethrough the apparatus.
 106. The apparatus of claim 104 wherein themachine vision sorter is a color sorter.
 107. The apparatus of claim 104wherein the controller is programmable to different processing regimes.108. The apparatus of claim 104 wherein the controller is programmableto handle one seed sample in batch mode; multiple seed samples insequential continuous processing mode; or multiple sub-sets of one seedsample in sequential continuous processing mode.
 109. The apparatus ofclaim 104 further comprising operative communication between thecontroller and a database for parallel information flow to progressionof a sample through the apparatus.
 110. The apparatus of claim 104further comprising an apparatus to self-clean sizing screens comprising:a cleaning member having a surface generally corresponding in width to ascreen to be cleaned; a dedicated actuator associated with the cleaningmember; a cleaning member normally positioned adjacent the screen; theactuator operable to move one of the cleaning member or the screen fromits normal position to directly in abutment with the other.
 111. Theapparatus of claim 109 wherein the screen is a flat screen and thecleaning member is a flat corresponding surface.
 112. A system forprocessing seed samples comprising: (a) a processor adapted to be incommunication with a data base; (b) a seed processing device underprogrammable control by said processor; (c) a sensing device inoperative communication with said processor; (d) a conveying mechanismunder control by said processor.
 113. The system of claim 111 whereinsaid database comprises one or more of a local database and/or a centraldata base.
 114. The system of claim 111 wherein said processing devicecomprises one or more of (a) a separator of seed from a carrier or othernon-seed material, (b) a cleaner, (c) a sorter.
 115. The system of claim111 further comprising a bagging station including a container to holdaccumulated processed seed in a form ready for bagging.
 116. A method ofcorn seed quality management comprising: (a) identifying a sample ofcorn seed; (b) separating the sample on the basis of physicalcharacteristic of the corn seed into a desired corn seed group and adiscard group; (c) maintaining the discard group for each sampleseparately from the desired group and separately from the discard groupsof other samples; (d) Packaging the desired group into discretepackages; (e) identifying the package; (f) maintaining information onthe seed sample in a database.
 117. The method of claim 115 furthercomprising reviewing the discard group for possible future use.
 118. Themethod of claim 115 further comprising using the information to manage aseed inventory.